Cricket 2 years ago

Specsavers County Championship: Round Two, Day 1 Report

Yorkshire showed why they are primed for a third consecutive title with a paradigmatic fightback against Hampshire on day one. The hosts found themselves on the verge of a calamity early on being reduced to 41/3 with Alex Lees, Gary Ballance and Andrew Gale back in the pavilion. Jonny Bairstow (107)* and Adam Lyth (111) then began the fightback with some excellent counter-attacking batting and in the blink of an eye, the two were out of sight as they went on to complete their hundreds later in the day.

Lyth was eventually trapped in front by Sean Ervine to leave the score at 246/4, which soon became 249/5 as Jack Leaning was out caught behind too, to Chris Wood. At stumps, Yorkshire were 270/5.

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The tone was set right from the start by openers Ben Slater (42) and Chesney Hughes (96) who shared a stand of 103 off 232 deliveries before the former was out caught behind. A second wicket quickly followed for Gloucestershire, but skipper Wayne Madsen dug in to work his way to a hard-fought 58 off 180 deliveries. At the close of play, Derby were 242/3.

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